If you already have solar panels — or are thinking about getting them — adding an EV charger is the logical next step. Charging your electric car with free solar energy is one of the most satisfying money-saving moves a Cardiff homeowner can make. Here is how it works and why it makes so much sense.
The Numbers: How Much Can You Save?
The average Cardiff commuter drives 8,000–12,000 miles per year. In a typical electric car, that requires around 2,500–3,500 kWh of electricity. If you charge from the grid at the standard variable rate (currently around 30p/kWh), that costs £750–£1,050 per year. Charge from your solar panels instead, and that cost drops dramatically.
How Solar-Powered EV Charging Works
The concept is simple: when your solar panels are generating more electricity than your home is using, the surplus can be diverted to charge your EV instead of being exported to the grid. Smart EV chargers make this automatic, adjusting the charge rate based on real-time solar generation.
Best EV Chargers for Solar in 2025
We install and recommend several solar-compatible EV chargers for Cardiff homes:
MyEnergi Zappi 2.1: The market leader for solar integration. Three charging modes, app control, and seamless solar diversion. From £850 installed.
Hypervolt Home 2.0: Sleek design with solar compatibility and excellent app. Good for tech-savvy Cardiff homeowners. From £950 installed.
Wallbox Pulsar Plus: Compact and reliable with solar integration via the myWallbox app. From £800 installed.
EO Mini Pro 3: The smallest smart charger on the market, perfect for Cardiff homes with limited space. From £750 installed.
Do You Need a Big Solar System?
Not necessarily. Even a modest 3–4kW solar system can generate enough surplus on sunny days to add meaningful charge to your EV. A full charge from solar alone requires a larger system (6kW+) and a battery, but most Cardiff homeowners find that topping up 30–50% of their daily commute from solar is easily achievable.
The key is smart scheduling. If you work from home or can leave your car plugged in during daylight hours, you'll capture far more solar energy. For those who commute, a home battery stores solar energy during the day for evening EV charging.
Get a Solar + EV Charger Package
GL Solar offers combined solar and EV charger packages for Cardiff homeowners. Save money by installing both together with a single survey, single scaffolding setup and integrated design.